When I was ten years old our family dog was injured and broke his leg. I don’t remember how he got hurt, but I remember crying because I thought he was dying. Fortunately, the veterinarian was able to put a splint on his leg and he recovered. I think animals as well as people are important to God.
God’s Care for Animals Demonstrates His Character
On the sixth day, before God created man, He created animals. When God told Noah to build the Ark it was not just for his family, but also to save a remnant of the animals. Think of all the food that had to be placed on the Ark for the animals. In addition, Noah’s family had to care and feed the animals while they were on the Ark.
Genesis 6:14 “Build a large boat from cypress wood and waterproof it with tar, inside and out. Then construct decks and stalls throughout its interior. 15 Make the boat 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high. 16 Leave an 18-inch opening below the roof all the way around the boat. Put the door on the side, and build three decks inside the boat—lower, middle, and upper.
17 “Look! I am about to cover the earth with a flood that will destroy every living thing that breathes. Everything on earth will die. 18 But I will confirm my covenant with you. So enter the boat—you and your wife and your sons and their wives. 19 Bring a pair of every kind of animal—a male and a female—into the boat with you to keep them alive during the flood. 20 Pairs of every kind of bird, and every kind of animal, and every kind of small animal that scurries along the ground, will come to you to be kept alive. 21 And be sure to take on board enough food for your family and for all the animals.” 22 So Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him. [1]
God Cares for Animals, so He Will Care for Us
Matthew 10:29But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. 30 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. [2]
In this passage, Jesus helped His listeners grasp that animals, as well as people, are important to God. If God cared about the death of a common bird, He certainly cares about the needs of people. That isn’t all we learn from this passage, however. Jesus also gave us insight into God’s attitude toward animals.
True, humans are “more valuable” than a common little bird, but Jesus didn’t say that animals have no value to God. In comparison to humans, the little sparrow has little value, but God still values the life of that little sparrow enough to be moved by its death.
The Apostle Paul tells us how valuable we are to God. Romans 5:8But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. [3]We couldn’t save ourselves, but God had a plan. God’s own Son, Jesus, would pay the price for our sins. We are valuable.
To hear how God cared for the animals, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/faith-makes-a-difference-noah
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.